Heat proof finish

[Ian Butler]

From a scrap piece of Tassie Oak left over from the top of an entertainment unit I'd built a few months ago I made my wife a table centre piece to place hot out-of-the-oven corning-ware serving dishes. Now I'm stuck as I've no idea what finish to use to stand searing hot containers on. My first thought was to add a cork top but that'll totally hide the TO grain. So I've stalled at this stage and the local builder's hardware guys are of no help whatsoever.

Appreciate all and any advice or suggestions to help solve my predicament.
Cheers, Ian.

[LGS]

Hi Ian,

I'm not sure that anything but solid plastic finish will handle searing heat, but I have used Organoil Hard Burnishing oil on a Kitchen bench which has had hot pots, steaming lids and hot casserole dishes placed on it for the last 7 years, with no evidence of marking. Its fluid resistant too. The finish mustbe applied as per the directions for the protection to work, but work it does! Cleans up with Spray and Wipe too. Some will say it's not worth the bother, but I can tell you it really does work if done properly.

Regards,

Rob

[Ian Butler]

Hi Rob,

Thank you for your prompt response.

Yes, you've hit the nail right on the head - what you've described about your kitchen bench top is exactly what I was seeking. There is a local supplier here on the NSW Central Coast of Organoil products so I'll go visit them tomorrow.

PS. "Damn Fine Furniture" is an understatement! Wonderful craftsmanship.

Cheers, Ian.

[soundman]

Of course the qusetion is how hot is hot.

sooner or later things get hot enough to burn almsot any finish you can think of.

Single pack polly is pretty uselss and melts are pretty low temperatures.

some of the finishes such as the two packs and epoxies may tolerate more heat.

all th real heatprrof paints and Industrial coatings are silicon or teflon or whatever bassed.

but then yoi get to the problem of damage occuring to the wood below, often the moisture in the wood boils and either accumulates under, ruptures the finish or cracks the wood.

My thaought are to treat the item like a cutting board, fine sand it and then treat it with clear parifin oil.

That way when it does start looking a bit rough you can have at it with the sander and re-oil......all good.

cheers

[Kidbee]

A trivet to put the hot pots on sounds like the go to me. Otherwise you are asking for trouble. Another project for you to tackle.